Jalapeño Popper Dip

Do you like jalapeño poppers? This dip blends the hot pepper into a warm and creamy appetizer perfect for your next event. And it's a great way to use any pickled jalapeños or dehydrated jalapeños you may have from your garden.

Jalapeño Popper Dip

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons dried jalapeños (rehydrate with 1/4 cup water)
  (OR 1/4 cup diced pickled jalapeños)
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 - 8 ounce blocks cream cheese or Neufchâtel cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons bread crumbs

Instructions:

• Combine softened cream cheese and mayo well. Stir in jalapeños, onion and garlic.
• Spread in an oven-proof baking dish (used a medium sized dish).
• Sprinkle top of dip with bread crumbs.
• Bake at 350° F for 20 minutes.
• Serve warm with crackers or corn chips.

Enjoy!  Click for more homemade recipes from Sustainable Blessings. 

Homemade Croutons

Add crunch to your next salad with this simple recipe. Save your day-old bread and make delicious homemade croutons. Customize this savory recipe to your liking with your own blend of seasonings.

Croutons

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 cups of day old bread, cubed

Italian Seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions
Preheat oven to 400° F.
In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients. Stir until combined and bread is coated well.
Place crouton mixture onto a large baking pan.
Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Stirring every 5 minutes.
Allow to cool. Store in air tight container and use within 2 weeks.

Makes 8 cups.

Helpful Tip:
When your bread is getting too dried out, cut it into cubes and place in a plastic bag in the freezer. Once a large gallon bag is full, you are ready to make the croutons.

Enjoy!  Click for more homemade recipes from Sustainable Blessings.

Golden Mexican Rice

Replace prepackaged rice mix with this simple homemade recipe. Chicken broth and seasonings give this rice its distinct taste and namesake. My family loves to top the Golden Mexican Rice with taco fixings or add the recipe to crunchy tacos to make the meat stretch further (even the picky eater likes tacos this way).

Golden Mexican Rice

Ingredients
3 cups uncooked white or brown rice
6 tablespoons butter
2 cups chicken broth
3 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon taco seasoning

Instructions
Sauté rice with butter for 5 minutes, until lightly browned.
In large microwaveable dish; combine chicken broth, water and seasonings. Stir in rice mixture.
Microwave covered, on high power for 15 minutes.
Then reduce heat to 50% power for another 12 minutes.
Fluff with fork prior to serving.

Enjoy!  Click for more homemade recipes from Sustainable Blessings.